Fri. 9/15 - Do-or-Dies: Mudcats Look to Advance to Finals, Shuckers on the Precipice

[wiguy94]

Costello gets a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th with 3 groundouts. To extra innings we go!

[Ro Mueller]

Two walks, then RBI doubles from Tyler Black and Chris Roller push the Sounds lead to 8-1 in the 8th inning.

[Ro Mueller]

Tobias Myers gave the team 100 pitches over 6.1 innings, striking out 8 while conceding just one earned run. Shuckers lead 9-2, now batting in the bottom of the 7th inning. 

[sveumrules]

Carolina gets one run top of ten via Dylan O’Rae single.

[wiguy94]

Mudcats get 1 run in the top of the 10th. We head to the bottom of the 10th with a 1 run lead. Costello going back out. Hopefully he can prevent the Manfred runner from scoring.

[Ro Mueller]

Here's that Luke Adams game-tying 8th inning homer. They're now in the 10th inning, trying to steal one on the road. 

[wiguy94]

Costello gets a lineout to LF then gives up a single up the middle and the game is tied 3-3. The runner advanced to 2B on the throw home so it's now 1 out and winning run on 2B.

[Ro Mueller]

Down East gets a 1-out, game-tying base hit up the middle, with O'Rae's throw home allowing the batter to get to 2nd base. 3-3. Gulp.

[wiguy94]

Not ideal hitting the 9 hitter with a pitch to get the top of the order up with the game on the line.

[wiguy94]

Costello gets the ground out. To the 11th inning we head. Might be notable that the Brewers have only used 4 pitchers tonight and the Wood Ducks have used 6. Might see some guys on short rest for the Wood Ducks the deeper this game goes.

[wiguy94]

Baez and Hall both with lazy flyouts to open the 11th. Avina up with 2 outs and the Manfred runner still on 2B. 

[wiguy94]

Avina draws a walk. Barrios up to the plate. How about a gapper to bring in 2 runs?

[wiguy94]

Barrios draws a walk. Bases loaded. Sounds like Guilarte is pinch hitting for Mercado. Time to avenge himself for the error last night.

[wiguy94]

Guilarte strikes out looking...he strands the bases loaded. Wood Ducks coming up in the bottom of the 11th with 2,3,4 due up. It's officially danger zone for the Mudcats.

[wibadgers23]

Tyler Black is having a really nice end to his season. Three more hits tonight.

[Ro Mueller]

Just now, wiguy94 said:

Guilarte strikes out looking...he strands the bases loaded. Wood Ducks coming up in the bottom of the 11th with 2,3,4 due up. It's officially danger zone for the Mudcats.

That's tough. Such a big advantage for the home team in this ghost runner system. Opposition scores one or more in the top half, don't bunt. Opposition doesn't score in the top half, bunt him over. Silly

[wiguy94]

Yerlin Rodriguez comes in to pitch the bottom of the 11th on 0 days rest. He throws a wild pitch on the first pitch so the winning run is now on 3rd base with 0 outs. Going to need a special inning to send this to the 12th.

[wiguy94]

Wood Ducks walk it off on a sac fly to RF. Carolina's season is over.

[Ro Mueller]

Just now, damuelle said:

That's tough. Such a big advantage for the home team in this ghost runner system. Opposition scores one or more in the top half, don't bunt. Opposition doesn't score in the top half, bunt him over. Silly

They wanted to bunt him over, Yerlin Rodriguez pitched high to counter and it went to the back-stop. Runner advances to 3rd.

Next batter grounded to SS Barrios, playing in. Runner stayed put. One out.

And then they walked it off with a fly out to right field, beating the throw home. Dumb Manfred. Dumb. Shoot!!!!!!!!!

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Mudcats had several opportunities, but couldn’t find those needed two-out hits with RISP. Tough way for the season to end, but unless you win it all, every playoff team goes home somewhat disappointed.

[Ro Mueller]

Great job to the Mudcats, getting back into the series after losing a tough opening game at home. Battled back tonight to tie it late, even taking the lead in the top of the 10th inning, but couldn't hold it. Loaded the bases in the top of the 11th inning, but couldn't muster a run across. Great season to the team. Hold those heads high!!!

[Ro Mueller]

I'm taking solace in seeing the Cubs' affiliate, Myrtle Beach, with the top regular season record in the Carolina League at 75-55, getting mauled at home 18-2 to also bow out of the playoffs.

[Ro Mueller]

The Shuckers kept their playoff hopes alive with today's convincing 9-2 win. They face another elimination game tomorrow, with RHP TJ Shook the scheduled starter.

Expect Jeferson Quero to catch after resting today, which presents a conundrum as each of Wes Clarke, Brock Wilken, Ernesto Martinez and Zavier Warren are mashing and should ordinarily play. I guess Clarke or Wilken will rest against Montgomery's righty starter, then pinch hit late.

[Joseph Zarr]

Man that Mudcats series loss hurts. I really feel for Areinamo. He is a much better player than that small three game sample size showed. Tough way for his season to end. I feel for Chirinos to not get the chance to play. An incredible season ends in an unfortunate way. I really have no idea how a Playoff game is decided with Manfred Man Xtras. A silly silly way to play Playoffs baseball. It feels like how the Sounds got screwed over last year with a one game Divisional Championship Rd in Vegas. 

[Joseph Zarr]

And RHP Tobias Myers has really found something late in his season. He has been very impressive of late showing his League leading K totals are no joke.